More Information

WASHINGTON -
The No. 19 Georgetown University men's soccer squad used a huge offensive effort to defeat the University of Pennsylvania Quakers (2-3), 3-0, Thursday evening at Rhodes Field in the first half of the BIG EAST/Ivy League Challenge. Underclassmen played significant role in the victory improving the Blue & Gray to 5-2 overall.

"We really executed well tonight and had good stuff in the final third," said Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese. "Also the back four is really gelling and turning into a really good group. In the net, Tomas (Gomez) and Keon (Parsa) certainly didn't have an uneventful night. We got a lot of guys in a got a really tough result on the road."

The Quakers got off the first shot, but it was Georgetown that quickly took control on offense. After two quick shots, the Hoyas got on the board following the first corner kick of the contest. Senior forward Steve Neumann (New Hope, Pa./Council Rock North) took the corner, sending it into the box. Seconds later the ball came back to him and he crossed it from the right side. Freshman midfielder Bakie Goodman (Sarasota, Fla./Pine View School for the Gifted) took the pass and hit a low shot into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 in the 20th minute.

Just ten minutes later, freshman Alex Muyl (New York, N.Y./Bard) made it 2-0 hitting an unassisted goal. The midfielder dribbled by a pair of defenders to shoot from close range to give the Hoyas a two-goal advantage.

Neumann and sophomore forward Brandon Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph's) both had good looks as Neumann's shot hit the post before the break as Georgetown led at the half, 2-0.

The second half looked much like the first as the Blue & Gray continued to dominate on the offensive end thanks to Muyl, Allen and Neumann. The Hoyas were awarded a number of corner kicks early on to give GU chances.

The game got physical midway through the half with the Quakers receiving two yellow cards four minutes apart.

Despite Penn's attempts to get back in it, Georgetown put the nail in the coffin in the 63rd minute on a goal from Allen. Muyl crossed the ball from the left-hand side and Allen took one touch to send it into the left corner of the net making it 3-0.

"Bakie (Goodman) got the first goal and Alex (Muyl) got the second, but Alex's was more of a one-man effort. He's been a problem for opposing defenses recently and was overdue for a goal, it's great for his to get his first. These two have been showing us this since preseason so we're not surprised. It's nice to have production from more than just Brandon (Allen) and Steve (Neumann)."

In the final minutes, Penn tried to find a goal to avoid the shutout. However, GU senior keeper Keon Parsa (West Hills, Calif./El Camino Real) stood strong making a pair of saves to hold on for the 3-0 final.

Georgetown outshot Penn, 18-12, and took 11 corner kicks to the Quakers' two. Junior goalkeeper Tomas Gomez (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) had four saves for the Hoyas as well as the win, while Parsa added three. Penn keeper Tyler Kinn posted four saves in the loss.

The Quakers were familiar foes for many of the Hoyas as Penn Head Coach Rudy Fuller is a Georgetown soccer alum and Neumann faced off against his brother, Alec, for the first time in their intercollegiate careers.

"I've been happy with our focus the past two games. Even though we didn't pour goals in against JMU, we had good focus for 90 minutes and it was the same tonight. It's difficult to impose your style on someone else on the road and we were able to do that."

Georgetown will take on Princeton University in the second half of the BIG EAST/Ivy League Challenge on Sunday at Shaw Field. Live stats and a webcast featuring Dan Helfrich and Tom Greaser will be available at www.GUHoyas.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.